Senior BJP leader and former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha’s comparison of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moghul ruler Mohammad bin Tughluq, known for his administrative inabilities, has created huge controversy amidst BJP circles.

Often referred to as an ‘example’ for mismanagement, Tughluq is considered till today as the most ‘indecisive king’ to have ever ruled pre-Independent India.  Speaking at a seminar on GST organized by ‘Save Democracy’ movement, Sinha recalled how the kings of yore had some currencies which were printed only for their own use. “A few kings allowed old and new currencies to be used simultaneously,” he said.

“More than 700 years back, Mohammad bin Tughluq banned old (existing) currencies to introduce a new set of currency notes. Demonetization has been a 700-year old act. Later, Tughluq proved his administrative incompetence by shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and losing people’s faith in him. A similar occurrence is being witnessed now also with Modi’s act of demonetization hurting the economy.

“Unemployment has always been a huge issue faced by us for long. Demonetization is said to have cost Rs.128000 crores. Economic growth has been slowed and come down by more than 1.5% but the reality could be even more disturbing. This is an unprecedented situation in the country,” said Sinha, who held the all-important Finance portfolio during the tenure of Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister.